Workers say they deserve their 13th month pay

Workers have decried the possibility of not receiving their 13th month pay amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), saying that companies should have prepared for the situation despite the pandemic.

According to JP Soriano’s report on “24 Oras,” Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III has said that micro, small, and medium enterprises that are "in distress" may be allowed not to give its employees the mandatory 13th month pay.

“‘Yung nalulugi na kumpanya, sa amin, hindi naman puwede ‘yung ganon kasi 13th month namin ‘yan. Hindi puwede na i-ano namin ‘yan, baliwalain na nila ang 13th month. Sa amin din ‘yun, eh,” Johnrel Gonzaga said.

“Okay lang ho walang bonus basta ang 13th month nandiyan. Mahalaga talaga sa amin ‘yun kasi ‘yung pandemic ngayon, wala na nga kaming kita, pati ‘yung 13th month namin ngayon mawala pa,” he added.

Another worker said the 13th month pay is what employees are expecting in December.

“Hindi naman tama yata ‘yun na, hindi mabigyan ‘yung mga taong nag tatrabaho ng kanilang 13th monthy pay kasi kahit papaano, ‘yun ang inaasahan ng tao ngayong December. Kasi kagaya kong isang empleyado, ‘yung 13th month pay ko ay parang pahanda na rin sa mga noche buena,”  Larry Soriano said.

Under Presidential Decree No. 851, employers are obligated to give a 13th month pay to employees before or on December 24 of every year.

“The law is very clear. We have to pay our workers on or before 24 December their 13th month pay. The only exception as provided under IRR of the late secretary… is when the company is in distress,” Bello said.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Department of Labor and Employment, the National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council, labor and business groups held a meeting to iron out the issue.

Bello said he would also push for bankrupt companies to be allowed to forego giving 13th month pay.

“Pero, last night during the Cabinet meeting, I had the occasion to discuss this with Secretary Mon Lopez, my partner, the DTI. Sabi ko, ’Sec. Mon, meron kaming proposal dito na ‘yung mga distressed companies will be exempted’,” Bello said.

“‘Pero mayroon another option’ kako ko sa kaniya. ‘The other option is instead of exemption, puwedeng deferment.’ And I was surprised with the reaction of Secretary Mon Lopez. Sabi niya, ‘okay, puwede rin. Instead of exemption, puwede rin na deferment na lang’,” he added.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque previously said that employers cannot defer the release of 13th month pay to their employees.

On Wednesday, DOLE is expected to release its agreement with the Tripartite Council on the matter. —Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News